This is our beautiful, bright, and funny 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, from Sauchen, Aberdeenshire. She is the kind of child who lights up any room she enters—always laughing, always full of life, and always dreaming big. Sophia’s boundless energy and passion for animals are just some of the many reasons she’s so loved by everyone around her. But in July 2025, our world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
The initial shock of hearing those words left us speechless. Our precious Sophia—just 10 years old—was fighting for her life against a ruthless disease. The days that followed were filled with endless hospital visits, fear, and uncertainty. However, as she began her treatment, we saw a glimpse of hope. Her body responded well to the initial rounds of chemotherapy, and for a brief moment, we thought she might beat this. Sophia’s spirit was unwavering. She continued to be the same bright, funny, and loving girl we knew, even when everything around her seemed so uncertain.
But just when we thought we had made it through the hardest part, we received the news that shattered our hearts. Sophia’s cancer had become extremely aggressive. Despite her incredible strength and the best medical care available, the leukaemia began to grow more rapidly. The reality of her condition hit us like a wave we couldn’t outrun.
Sophia’s only chance at long-term survival now lies in an umbilical stem cell transplant. She was transferred to the transplant ward, where we clung to the hope that this life-saving procedure could still be done. But just days ago, we were told the devastating news that her leukaemia levels had risen far too high for the transplant to go ahead. The transplant isn’t just another treatment—it is her only hope.
To make matters worse, all treatment options available here in the UK have been exhausted. We have fought every step of the way, and we are not giving up. But we need more. For Sophia to receive the transplant she so desperately needs, her cancer must first be reduced to a safe enough level. The only way to achieve this is through a specialised drug, available only in America, that could potentially bring her cancer levels down enough to proceed with the transplant.
This treatment is urgent. It is Sophia’s last chance. Without it, her survival is uncertain.
The cost of this drug, along with the necessary treatment, travel, and accommodation, will total around £500,000. This amount is overwhelming, and we cannot do it alone. We have already sold what we can, we have exhausted our savings, and we have reached out to every resource we can find. Now, we are asking for your help, with all the hope and humility in our hearts, to give Sophia the chance she so deserves.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to the treatment that can save her life. Sophia deserves to grow up. She deserves to return to school, to play with her friends, to live out her dreams of working with animals, and to continue spreading the joy she brings to everyone around her. She is so much more than a diagnosis—she is a bright, creative, loving little girl who deserves every opportunity to live.
We are asking for your support, because without it, Sophia’s chance at life is slipping away. We know the power of community, the power of hope, and the power of love. Together, we can help give Sophia a fighting chance. Your kindness, generosity, and compassion can help us reach our goal and bring Sophia the future she deserves.
Please, help us give our daughter the chance to be the vibrant, joyful girl she has always been. Every step you take with us is a step closer to saving her life. Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for believing in our little girl.
With all our love and gratitude,
Sophia’s Family